Final Stages

My actual due date was February 28^th and I was convinced that our little Madison would be at least a few days late. I was a little surprised that she was only one day late, but then I am pretty sure that I induced my labor a little by how much we did the Saturday before Madison was born. We were busy all day trying to get everything completely ready for her arrival. We went to Costco, Babies R Us, two different fabric stores, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and finally we went to dinner at Pei Wei to eat some spicy food. I wasn’t intentionally trying to induce labor, but I must have done something because Sunday morning I started having mild contractions.

I didn’t sleep at all Sunday night because my contractions were consistently about 15-20 minutes apart. They were just painful enough that I woke up for every single one. I decided not to go to work on Monday since I was exhausted from not sleeping.

I continued to have contractions on Monday, but they seemed to be more sporadic. That afternoon we went to a viewing for Benjamin Ryan Woodbury. Our dear friends Kristen and Randy sadly had to bury their 10 day old precious little boy. I can’t imagine the pain of these new parents. I was a little nervous about how I would feel going to a viewing for a little baby while I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little girl, but I really wanted to show my love and support for my friends. We love Kristen and Randy and pray for them often. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and that Benjamin will be with his parents again in the Celestial Kingdom.

After the viewing I had a doctors appointment and we learned that I was dilated to 3 and 90% effaced. Thank goodness all those contractions were doing something!

That night my contractions were getting stronger and I am so grateful for my amazing mother-in-law. I didn’t take any Lamaze classes so I wasn’t exactly sure the best way to relax during the painful contractions. Becky, my mother-in-law, relaxed and breathed with me during each contraction while we watched Young Victoria and Emma to keep my mind off of the pain. Finally at about 4:00 am my contractions were about 5-7 minutes apart and we decided to go to the hospital. I was exhausted! As we drove to the hospital I hoped that this would be a quick process and that I could get the epidural as soon as possible.